E-mu XL-7 Command Station

The hot new XL-7 is a desktop sequencer module version of E-mu's Xtreme Lead-1 Electronica and Dance oriented
sound module. You may recall that the Xtreme Lead-1 module itself was a
new and improved Techno synth based on the popular Audity 2000 module. Like the Xtreme Lead-1,
the XL-7 uses the same sample-playback synthesis engine as E-mu's Proteus 2000 sound module. The XL-7 and all
its Electronica synth sounds and beats can also be found in a sleek
keyboard version called the XK-6 Xtreme
Keys.

Sharing its sounds and specs with the Xtreme Lead-1, the XL-7 has 128
voices of polyphony like the Xtreme Turbo. It ships with one 32 MB ROM
soundset called "X-Lead" and it is full of brand new and classic
electronica, techno, house, dance type sounds from basses and synths to
drum kits, scratches, vocal effects and more! The XL-7 has 3 additional
slots for adding more, up to 128 MB, of E-mu's 32 MB ROM soundsets from
E-mu's family of genre based sound modules, keyboards, and desktop
groove machines.

What sets the XL-7 (and the MP-7 Urban/HipHop
version as well) apart from its sound-module and keyboard versions is
its built-in MPC-style sequencer. If you find the rack-mount sound
modules too constricting to work with, and don't have room for another
61-note keyboard, the desktop sequencing all-in-one Command Station may
be what you need. There are 13 large velocity and aftertouch sensitive
pads which can be used to play notes, chords or drop in drum sounds.
Sequences can be recorded in real-time, step input, or grid-styled
classic TR drum-machine style programming. Patterns can be up to 32 bars
long each, there is quantization, overdubbing features, and synth
parameters can be automated in pattern and song modes. There are 16
front panel real-time controllers for automating parameters in your
tracks, or just for easy hands-on access to programming your sounds.
Mute/Enable Track buttons allow you to add or remove patterns on the
fly. The sequencer has full-blown MIDI implementation as well,
supporting up to 32 MIDI channels. Use the XL-7 as a sound module or
sync it up to other MIDI equipment. You can control its built-in sounds
and external devices simultaneously! Many rhythmic synth parameters
(LFO, envelopes) are Tempo/MIDI syncable too. There's even a cool
real-time assignable touch strip ribbon controller. Unfortunately, the
sequencer stores up to 1024 patterns and 512 songs.

Other great features it shares with its sister sound modules and
keyboard versions include 32 simultaneously available arpeggiators with
all the basic patterns plus up to 300 preset and user patterns! Two
effects processors offer up the standard batch of reverb, delay, chorus,
flange and distortion, and there are also digital 12 pole resonant
filters. There are six outputs and a digital S/PDIF output, USB port,
and a new BNC 12V lamp socket for lighting up the unit while using it on
stage or alongside the DJ's turntables! The XL-7 gives musicians and DJs
alike an MPC-style take on working with the proven sounds of E-mu's
genre based Dance synths!

Current E-mu sound modules ship with one 32 MB sound-set each, but are
expandable up to 128 MB via three additional slots for 32 MB expansion
cards. These cards include (ranging from $249 to $395):

With these expansion options, you could buy a PK-6, then add the sounds
of the Orbit 3, XK-6, and the MP-7... or any other combinations you may
want. If you like desktop synths, you can start with an MP-7 or XL-7,
and then add these same expansion card options to add Proteus,
Orchestral, or the new Halo sounds to them. E-mu/Ensoniq's
interchangeable sound cards and a variety of keyboard/sound-module
options means that there's a model out there for everybody now.

The link above will take you to an eBay search for this synth to see active listings with more images, specs and information. If you don't find it there, try looking in our forum marketplace. Our marketplace gets thousands of visits every week so make sure to check back often if you want to buy or sell a synth.